Page 12 - Advances In Productive, Safe, and Responsible Coal Mining

Preface

When I, Joseph Hirschi, began my first postcollege job working at an underground
coal mine, the newly hired, inexperienced miner, 40h training I was required to com-
plete included a tour of the mine complex. One of the stops was where the mainline
conveyor belt transferred to the slope belt. The entire mine production passed this
point on its way to the surface. This area was kept in immaculate condition with fresh
rock dust on the roof, floor, and ribs; there were no spills at transfer points and no float
dust underneath belt rollers or on the framework. This was mostly the work of one
man, Jack Webb. His primary responsibility was to keep this area clean. Posted on
the guarding around the drive motors were hand-painted signs with quotes attributed
to Mr. Webb. One read, “A Clean Mine is a Safe Mine.” Another read, “A Safe Mine is
a Productive Mine.” When I first read them, they merely seemed like nice clich es, yet
over the course of my career, I have observed and learned the profound truths that they
proclaimed. This book expresses that learning in engineering or scientific terms
thanks to the contributions of the expert authors, who are specialists in the areas of
coal mine operations including productivity, safety, and environmental stewardship.
I’m proud to consider them my colleagues and peers and to call them my friends.